Marshall Dean Montgomery (Dean) passed away on May 14, 2021 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Dean was born on November 9, 1942 in Stamford, Connecticut to Eleanor Barrett Montgomery and Giles Newtown Montgomery. Dean was predeceased by his brother Barry Montgomery. He was the brother and nephew of former long-time New Canaan residents Anne Montgomery and Marshall H. Montgomery. Dean is survived by three children, Laurel Edinburgh, Emily Matthews, and Giles Montgomery, and five grandchildren, Zachary, Sarah, Zoe, Ethan, and Gemma.
Dean graduated from St. Luke’s School of New Canaan in 1960 and Middlebury College in 1964. He was commissioned as an officer in the Army reserves from 1964 – 1968 and 1970 – 1974. He served on active duty 1968 – 1970 including time in Vietnam. His rank upon discharge was Captain, having been awarded bronze star and joint service commendations in Vietnam. He graduated from the University of Denver College of Law with a juris doctor degree. After law school, Dean resided most of his life in Stamford.
Dean’s passions included sailing, bridge, skiing with the family and teaching the children various water sports at Lake Sunapee in New Hampshire each summer. He will be remembered for his smile, thoughtfulness, good humor, readiness with a joke or two, self-appointed welcoming committee activities, and his countless volunteer activities, service on Boards, bridge victories, and legal service.
Of particular note, Dean was the grandson of Dean Halliwell, the well-known dance instructor of ballroom dancing fame in the 1950s and 1960s in Fairfield and Westchester Counties. He learned the art form well from her and became an exceptional dancer.
Dean was a member of the Fairfield County bar association and past president, and a member of the Greenwich, CT and American Bar associations. Dean served on the American Bar Association House of Representatives on behalf of the Greenwich Bar. He was a member of the Executive Committee of the real property section of the Connecticut Bar Association and past chair. Dean was admitted to the Bars of Connecticut and Colorado, US District Court for Connecticut, Second Circuit Court of Appeals and the U.S. Supreme Court. He was a partner at the law Firm of Bently, Mosher, Babson and Lambert for 40 years, specializing in real estate law.
Dean assisted his father Giles and brother Barry who were the developers of Dolphin Cove in Stamford, Connecticut. Dean enjoyed many years of bliss with his family by the sea.
Dean was Police Commissioner for four years and Fire Commissioner for four years and served on the Stamford Police Foundation Board in Stamford, Connecticut. He served on the 1983 Stamford Charter revision commission.
Dean served for many years on the Stamford emergency medical services Board of Directors and was past president. Dean was former Commodore of the Dolphin Cove Yacht club, served on the Bartlett Arboretum Board of Directors and Stamford Red Cross Board (and was a past President). He was a member of the Stamford Rotary Club, past president, and sapphire [EM3] Paul Harris fellow.
Dean was a member of the Stamford bridge club and past president, member of the Connecticut bridge association and past president and served on the New England bridge association Board. Dean was a gold life master of bridge and was a member of the American Contract Bridge league for over 40 years.
Dean was recognized as the “Man of the year in Stamford” by the Jaycees early in his career, and was recognized for his pro bono work for Connecticut legal services and war veterans post 142.
A celebration of Life will be scheduled for August in Stamford, Connecticut.
I knew Dean as for over 40 years. He was loophole the lawyer, an occasional bridge partner, and a man with an easy smile and many a kind word and deed to spare for all who knew him. My family and I miss him.